This dark, brooding story is typical of author Ruth Rendell when she writes as Barbara Vine. Upon the death of novelist Gerald Candless, his daughter tries to uncover the many layers of his life, which were not as the family believed them to be. The psychological exploration of each thread of the story makes for compelling storytelling, but the numerous characters have their own histories and are difficult to keep track of. Narrator Michael Williams is very good, and his rich, resonant voice draws the main characters well. But abridgment plays against him here because there's little time to get acquainted with a character before the scene changes. Scene changes spanning many years also make this story difficult. Williams's talent is most evident as he presents the narrative scenes, and he's certainly an actor who could provide a memorable performance with a story better suited to audio abridgment
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A model and a mogul get married in Vegas on a bet, and Diana Luke narrates their story with élan. While it would be easy to portray Leila Darling as a scheming caricature or Carter Bain as a ruthless businessman, Luke never crosses that line. Her portrayal of Leila is generous and encompasses the full range of her character--from the formidable professional at the top of her game to the vulnerable woman who is unsure if she can trust a man with her heart. Likewise, Luke's portrayal of Carter showcases both his business acumen and his emotional vulnerability as he opens himself up to Leila. While loosely connected to the previous Unconventional Brides volumes, this can easily stand alone.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501968471
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
After her divorce, Roberta Jewett, with her three daughters, returns to Camden, Maine, to start a new life. Such an independent move in 1916 brings difficulties with her mother, her in-laws and the townspeople. Dukes's performance, while skillful, sometimes suffer in scenes of emotional content. His pace slows, and his reading acquires the peculiar emphasis of someone trying to get instructions across to a non-English-speaking person. The effect is disturbingly laughable. When he resumes his normal pace, the story revives and personalities emerge again, but the awkwardness remains as an odd interruption to Spencer's drama of pain and love, dispelling Dukes's carefully constructed characterizations.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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